Persistent oil leak on 200 Grand Caravan

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Scott W, Apr 7, 2005.

  1. Scott W

    Scott W Guest

    At 55,000 miles this Caravan developed an oil leak. The vehicle has been
    remarkably trouble free until now. The response I usually get when
    discussing this is "Already ? At just 55,000 miles ? Wow!".

    Background: At about 54,000 I took it into a local garage with a
    transmission fluid leak AND coolant leak. I have been working with this
    garage for years, and trust them. They replaced the transmission pan gasket
    and had to replace the timing cover gasket, as that was where the coolant
    was leaking from. While they had the timing cover off, I had them go ahead
    and replace the water pump.

    OK, so after about a week I start noticing an oil leak, and more
    transmission fluid! I took it back and they said, "Well, uh, sometimes when
    you start replacing "stuff" you might loosen marginal gaskets elsewhere and
    thus the new leaks". Hmmmph. I'm not so sure about that. They said the
    rear main oil seal and solenoid pack on the tranny needed replacing and they
    were ready to do the job. When they admitted they didn't remove too many
    transmissions, I was skeptical, so got a transmission shop recommendation
    from a friend. They did the job for about $500 and all was well... for
    about a week, when the oil leak came back, worse than ever it seemed. Of
    course, I couldn't tell if it was coming from the same source, so was
    getting concerned. I took it back to the tranny shop and they scratched
    their head, muttered something about too much pressure maybe causing this
    (which they eventually retracted, saying the engine was running too smoothly
    for that to be the cause) and did the job again, gratis. As soon as I got
    it home, it was still leaking!

    Anyone else seen this scenario ? Comments about what I heard from the two
    different shops ? I am wondering if I need to approach the dealer for some
    kind of deal here, even though it is out of warranty.

    Thanks,
    Scott
     
    Scott W, Apr 7, 2005
    #1
  2. Scott W

    Bob Shuman Guest

    Scott,

    I own three Chrysler products, including a 1999 T&C minvan. I also have a
    1991 Mitsubishi that has a Chrysler transmission. None of them has ever
    leaked from the transmission pan seal and knowing how they are RTV'ed from
    the factory (and how difficult it is to break this seal to replace the fluid
    and filter), I'd suspect that the original leak was not from the trans pan
    gasket. As such, I wouldn't trust their current diagnosis either, although
    I have heard others comment on leaking from the solenoid pack area
    previously. That said, I have personally seen trans fluid leaks from the
    transmission cooler lines so I'd encourage you to get under there and see
    for yourself where it is dripping from and then try to see if you can find
    the source of the leak.

    You don't indicate what engine and I'm not even sure of the year of the
    vehicle (200?) so won't comment on the oil leak.

    Bob
     
    Bob Shuman, Apr 7, 2005
    #2
  3. Scott W

    David Guest

    They are not looking at the right area for the leak. They are looking at
    were the oil has accumulated, and believe that is were the leak is. The
    problem is you are driving the vehicle, causing the oil to spread. What the
    tech's should do is clean the engine and tranny, and run the vehicle as it
    is parked, and/or put a dye in engine and tranny fluid, to see were it is
    exactly leaking from. I suspect they are not doing that.
     
    David, Apr 7, 2005
    #3
  4. Scott W

    Steve Guest

    Scott W wrote:


    So what you're basically saying is that none of the shops ever
    POSITIVELY identified the source of the leak, yet were willing to take
    your money, perform major R&R to get at a seal that RARELY ever leaks on
    Chrysler engines and replace it?

    I'd change shops if I were you. And I'd also find the source of the
    leak- it can be done by washing down the engine, adding a dye to the
    oil, and looking at the engine with a good UV light.
     
    Steve, Apr 7, 2005
    #4
  5. Scott W

    Old Car Guest

    You mean the scenario of dumb or dishonest mechanics dragging their
    customers through an expensive song and dance? Yup.
     
    Old Car, Apr 7, 2005
    #5
  6. Scott W

    maxpower Guest

    POPPY COCK

    Hmmmph. I'm not so sure about that. They said the
    Yes I have heard that alot from the independent shop, but normally they give
    up and say its a dealer item take it to the dealer.

    The best way to locate an oil leak is using a dye substance and black
    lite. I recommend you having someone do that, this can also be done with
    coolant and trans fluid but dont do it all at the same time, normally you
    dont have to do this will ATF because the leaks are right in front of the
    technicians nose
     
    maxpower, Apr 7, 2005
    #6
  7. Scott W

    mic canic Guest

    why do you think the dealer should give you any sort of deal when the prized
    aftermarket folks can not figure out the leak that you paid them to fix at 2
    different shops were do you get off asking for a deal ? they are going to tell
    you to go jump in the lake as i'm doing now take it bac to the prized
    aftermarket folks and let them earn their keep
    you should have taken it to a repair shop (dealer) that does nothing but work
     
    mic canic, Apr 9, 2005
    #7
  8. Scott W

    maxpower Guest

    Sup Mic??? hey I see you found that spell check button!!! You guys got your
    a/c machine's ready to roll?
     
    maxpower, Apr 9, 2005
    #8
  9. Scott W

    mic canic Guest

    our machines work all year
    the ac still works in defrost mode and people here notice it more than you would
    think
     
    mic canic, Apr 9, 2005
    #9
  10. Scott W

    maxpower Guest

    Where is here again?
     
    maxpower, Apr 9, 2005
    #10
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